The Los Angeles mountain lion P-22 was put to death after authorities discovered that the famous cat had significant wounds and ongoing health issues, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported on Saturday.
Officials from CDFW and the National Park Service caught the mountain lion on Monday and brought it in for inspection.
The feline’s wounds and health problems were found, according to the CDFW, following a thorough medical examination.
According to the agencies, it is possible that some of the injuries were caused by a vehicle collision or other incident.
The CDFW says it is not looking for information about a car accident and that the incident is “an eventuality that arises from habitat loss and fragmentation, and it underscores the need for thoughtful construction of wildlife crossings and well-planned spaces that provide wild animals room to roam.”
According to the agency, medical examinations revealed: “significant trauma to the mountain lion’s head, right eye and internal organs, confirming the suspicion of a recent injury, such as a vehicle strike.”
The CDFW stated that invasive surgery would be necessary to heal the damage to his internal organs.
Significant pre-existing ailments were also discovered through tests, including localized arthritis, prolonged weight loss, severe parasite skin infection across his entire body, and irreparable kidney damage.
“Based on these factors, compassionate euthanasia under general anaesthesia was unanimously recommended by the medical team at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and CDFW officials made the decision to do so on Saturday, Dec. 17,” the department said.
The cat’s age, along with his chronic and crippling ailments, “left P-22 with no chance for a healthy outcome,” claims CDFW.
The celebrity lion, which National Park Service researchers track, rose to fame for living in Griffith Park and occasionally marauding across the Hollywood Hills. Even a book and a documentary were written and produced on him.
“Mountain lion P-22 has had an extraordinary life and captured the hearts of the people of Los Angeles and beyond,” the statement from CDFW read. “The most difficult, but compassionate choice was to respectfully minimize his suffering and stress by humanely ending his journey.”
